The 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas National Guard, United States Air Force (USAF), began using a new robot to streamline activities on site.
This robot developed by AFWERX was created through a USAF incentive for new technologies. Inspired by a robotic arm, the equipment is capable of completely washing an F-16 Viper fighter.
In addition, the new robot developed by the military reduces the time to wash each plane to just one hour. Previously, a team of four soldiers took 6 hours to wash an F-16.
The robot's small size makes it possible for it to be transported for use on aircraft carriers or at other USAF air bases. On missions, it can reduce the risk of military exposure to chemical agents.
In addition to ordinary cleaning, fighters may need one after an air base is attacked by chemical bombs, which usually contain dangerous chemical components in their formula.
The robots were trained in a simulator, and are capable of carrying out all the cleaning work by themselves, as we can see in the video below. The displacement is carried out through rails, aligned on the ground next to each aircraft.
https://youtu.be/bnk-a9SHmhM
In the video below, we have a timelapse of the four soldiers working on cleaning an F-16:
Street: Popular Mechanics
Text by: Aeroflap
